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Topic: I'm a "racist"... - Page: 1

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djnutzPRO InfinityMember since 2006
I posted this on another message board. I thought I would put it up here too to see what you all think

I think that this situation speaks to issues that happen to some degree to a lot of us. Here's the 411:

Just this last Thursday I was called a racist because I didn't play enough hip hop. This makes it 2 weeks in a row. My playlist is below and the first song on the list is the last one of the night. I have always taken requests either by having people write them down or taking them verbally. They all get one of these responses:

A. I'll do my best.

B. I don't have that song.

Simple and to the point. Either response should be the end of the conversation. Instead people call me "racist" because I choose not to play certain songs. I make that decision after auditioning each song and looking for the energy level. In a club environment, I want people up and moving, not sitting or leaning and bobbing their heads; especially when they are just standing around on the dancefloor. I walk a very thin line. There is some hip hop I play and other hip hop I won't. Most songs are just a flash in the pan with people hounding me for "do not play" music for just a couple weeks. The problem comes when it's a new song every few weeks.

To make matters worse, last night I decided that I wasn't going to take any requests at all. I stuck to my guns. Then this chick comes up to make a request and I told her we don't take requests. She asked why and I told her management said no requests. I then turned away and put my headphones and ignored her while she stood there and continued to yell at me. She finally left, only to return with a waitress. The server told me this woman was offended that I wasn't taking requests. I explained one more time that management said no requests. She started yelling at me and I told her to F-off then turned away and put the headphones on again. About 2 minutes later, the manager is up yelling at me for yelling at customers.

I want your opinions, comments, and suggestions about any of this. I am tired of beating my head against the wall.

01:41 - TV Theme - Full House.mp3
01:35 - LIL TROY - WANNA BE A BALLA.mp3
01:29 - LIMP BIZKIT - ROLLIN' (AIR RAID VEHICLE).mp3
01:25 - Nickelback - Animals.mp3
01:23 - Buckcherry - Crazy Bitch.mpg
01:19 - Mims -This Is Why I'm Hot (DIRTY).mp3
01:16 - This is a virus alert - Hips Don't Lie.vob
01:12 - FAT JOE - WHAT'S LUV.mp3
01:04 - T-Pain - I'm N Luv Wit A Stripper (Remix).mpg
01:01 - Beyonce - Irreplaceable.avi
00:59 - RIHANNA FEAT SEAN PAUL - BREAK IT OFF.mp3
00:55 - Justin.Timberlake - Sexyback.avi
00:51 - Eminem feat Nate Dogg - Shake That.mpg
00:45 - The Pussycat Dolls Feat Snoop Dogg - Buttons.mpg
00:43 - Usher feat. Lil'Jon & Ludacris - Yeah.avi
00:36 - Chris Brown - Run it.mpg
00:33 - R.Kelly - Happy People.mpg
00:29 - E40 Feat T-Pain - U and Dat.avi
00:26 - Daddy Yankee - Gasolina.vob
00:24 - NORE FEAT. NINA SKY & FATMAN SCOOP - OYE MI CANTO FUNKYMIX.mp3
00:20 - This is a virus alert - LA TORTURA REGGAETON (DJ LUIS REMIX).mp3
00:14 - Christina Aguilera & P.Diddy - Tell Me.mpg
00:09 - Ciara feat. Chamillionaire - Get Up.vob
00:06 - Gwen Stefani - Sweet Escape.mpg
00:04 - Mims -This Is Why I'm Hot (DIRTY).mp3
00:02 - Gwen Stefani - Sweet Escape.mpg
23:59 - DJ Unk - Walk It Out (dirty).mp3
23:55 - YOUNG JEEZY FEAT R KELLY - GO GETTA.MP3
23:52 - Christina Aguilera & P.Diddy - Tell Me.mpg
23:51 - Juvenile - Back That Ass Up.mpg
23:50 - LIL TROY - WANNA BE A BALLA.mp3
23:45 - 2 PAC - CALIFORNIA LOVE.mp3
23:38 - YUNG JOC - ITS GOIN DOWN (FUNKYMIX).MP3
23:35 - DADDY YANKEE FEAT. LLOYD BANKS & YOUNG BUCK - ROMPE (REMIX).mp3
23:32 - Akon Feat. Snoop Dogg - I Wanna Love You.avi
23:28 - Ginuwine - Pony.mpg
23:23 - KEITH SWEAT - NOBODY.mp3
23:20 - Nickelback - Rockstar.mp3
23:16 - Mims ft. Baby Cham & Junior Reid - This Why I'm Hot (Dancehall Remix).mp3
23:11 - DJ Unk - Walk It Out (dirty).mp3
23:09 - Lil' Jon Featuring E-40 & Sean Paul - Snap Yo Fingers.vob
23:05 - Buckcherry - Crazy Bitch.mpg
23:01 - Paula Deanda- Walk Away.mp3
22:56 - Fergie - Glamorous.mpg
22:52 - DJ.Casper.-.Cha.Cha.Slide.avi
22:51 - MARCIA GRIFFITHS - ELECTRIC SLIDE.vob
22:46 - JOHN COUGAR MELLENCAMP - HURTS SO GOOD.mp3
22:40 - YOUNG MC - BUST A MOVE.vob
22:38 - Sir Mix-A-Lot - Baby Got Back (Promo).vob
22:35 - PETEY PABLO - FREEK A LEEK.MP3
22:32 - Mims ft. Baby Cham & Junior Reid - This Why I'm Hot (Dancehall Remix).mp3
22:29 - EMINEM - SHAKE THAT (REMIX).mp3
22:26 - ROB BASE & D.J. EZ ROCK - JOY AND PAIN (REMIX).mp3
22:24 - PUSSYCAT DOLLS - DON'T CHA (FUNKYMIX).mp3
 
Posted Tue 13 Mar 07 @ 10:25 pm
Well of course your a racist you son of a *****!!!

Actually there's nothing wrong with that playlist. Lots of good danceable music there.

I don't think there's anything you can do about it. Especially if you happen to be any opposing colour than the person making the request.

If you're white and they're black - Your a racist
If you're Native (I am) and they're white - your a racist
If you're Latin and they're black - you're a racist.

They're just saying that so you'll play they're silly request.

Sounds like what you should do is head this off at the pass; have a coffee meeting with your club manager and show him that playlist and enable charts in VDJ so that you can have an instant list for future - cover your ass referance.

Also explain to him that it's impossible to please everyone especially if it's some hysterical drunk HO (might wanna phrase that differently) at your back .

Personally I would have him/her explain to your waitresses that they're job is to look pretty and serve drinks while robbing tips from the customer - not run interference for hysterical dunken HO's (again you might want to phrase that differently)

I guess that I'm lucky in my club it advertises as a rock - orientated nightclub so if I decide that there's too many gangsta wannabe's and not enough party people I simply switch the style of music.

Hip hop/raggea/reggeaton goes out the window and Mettalica goes on. I'm not kidding we actually play metallica in the club. as well as System, Korn. Disturbed, Kmfdm, Shocor and others.

After 45mins of that - they'll dance to vanilla ice and be happy about it.


But then the headbangers come and complain to me.

I never win

DJ Marcel
Purple Onion NightClub
 
Posted Tue 13 Mar 07 @ 10:39 pm
Take a deep breath. Don't know how long you have been doing this, but you must maintain your cool, at all times. (That's funny coming from a guy that got suspended in Jan, for knocking out a customer, but that's another story). You have to be able to take the pressure of this profession. You do not yell at the customers, you need to have the management on board with your decisions, and have set rules that are set in stone. Forget about what they call you, as a black man working in white clubs, I have been called worst. Request are part of the job, I don't take them, but they still ask. This is not set in stone, because large sums of money, are the norm in my club. Be prepared, because they don't care about the pressure you are under, that's your problem. They just want to hear what they want, now. Hip hop, is the flavor of the month so accept it. I can't stand most of it, and am so tired of Reggaeton, that I could throw up. But the reality is they don't care what I like, they want to hear what they want to hear. A great DJ knows how to incorporate the two, to make the party work. I know some have different methods, but I never play any track more then once in a club. That is set in stone, and the management knows this. So you don't play your hot tracks in the beginning of the night. My mobile gigs are different, and I have played nothing but request, but that's what I get payed to do.
 
Posted Tue 13 Mar 07 @ 11:11 pm
DJ Marcel 1 wrote :
Personally I would have him/her explain to your waitresses that they're job is to look pretty and serve drinks while robbing tips from the customer - not run interference for hysterical dunken HO's (again you might want to phrase that differently)


That made me laugh.
 
Posted Tue 13 Mar 07 @ 11:15 pm
Perhaps you were not rocking the crowd as you thought. Most dj's get request when nobodys dancing or the music is not moving anybody. your playlist is a little weak you need to bring your A game everytime you play and the request will slow down. Dont take anything personal all customers want to be dj's just tell them you will get to it and keep playing until you make everybody dance.
 
Posted Wed 14 Mar 07 @ 12:26 am
if a customer wants to give you that much grief about about any one song or style of music then you dont need that customer. and if she cant take the hint you can always hand the manager the headphones and say '"her or me". then take a walk to the bathroom, bar, car... not the kind of business ya need. doesnt matter if that one customer spends $100 or $1000 a night. if they're gonna disrupt the club that much, then they need to go.
 
Posted Wed 14 Mar 07 @ 12:28 am
A Man and His Music wrote :
DJ Marcel 1 wrote :
Personally I would have him/her explain to your waitresses that they're job is to look pretty and serve drinks while robbing tips from the customer - not run interference for hysterical dunken HO's (again you might want to phrase that differently)


That made me laugh.



Glad to make it happen.

I take it that doesn't happen so much?
 
Posted Wed 14 Mar 07 @ 12:45 am
socrossPRO InfinityMember since 2004
"This is the kind of music we play here. I'm sure there are several other great clubs that play more hip hop, perhaps you'de be happier at one of those?"

I think you lost your cool a bit (I don't blame you, given how harsh their accusation was) but I don't think not taking requests is the answer. It is pretty annoying though, since most people at clubs seem to think that "their" song has to be played within minutes of them requesting it. I've taken to denying requests if I don't feel like playing it. I usually say "yeah, i'm not going to play that. It's <just not right/too slow/not the type of music we play here>" Most people respect that.

The most important thing is not to lower yourself to their level. If they are really giving you a ton of trouble, that's what the bouncer is for! Don't let them rattle you.

I think the hip hop crowd is in trouble. I've had several club managers tell me to stop playing too much hip hop because they don't like the crowd it brings in. They say they start fights, don't buy much liquor, and scare the people who do from coming back. Having played tons of club gigs, I'm hard pressed to dispute that. I've SEEN it. I think the hip hop community is in danger of crumbling under its own weight.

And no, I'm not talking about black people either, I'm talking about the hip hop crowd. I was playing a club in auburn, and there was probably 4 black people in the place, but the white folks were requesting some seriously gansta rap stuff. I just told them the manager won't let me play that stuff, that usually was enough.

It is annoying, but it's something we all have to deal with. I think being honest and direct with the customers is the best approach.
 
Posted Wed 14 Mar 07 @ 12:51 am
Next time a customer ask you for a request get their name and make sure when you do play the request to shout them out, that way if it is wack they all know who to blame.
cant stand stupid people!!




 
Posted Wed 14 Mar 07 @ 3:33 am
i think that list is good........anybody can make any accusation......most people still know that the accusation has to make sense and be proven.......

i think the problem is people who want gangsta........i still luv "generic crunk rap"

i fight and win this battle at the strip club......i refuse to play gangsta for the babes......i flat out tell the ladies i won't play that even the clean version......it's too slow and too nasty.....they already know it's too nasty......the problem is the fence probing.......happens everywhere in different degrees and variations......when i'm mobile i say that a request is counter to policy so i can't play that one .......i would like to make you happy by playing maybe something else that you like?? that can work well with adults and even kids ......it's easy and i admit to getting annoyed myself by really bad requests and really bad requestors , as in rude .......

sometimes i wonder ......is it only about how low can we go ???????????????????? are there no boundaries ...is there no public , no private ????

i refuse to play some songs... here's 2 examples......money in the bank and we fly high .....they've had plenty of stablemates from previous times , but for recent songs they would fit into my "you've got to be kidding" folder......i guess after everyone in the "hip hop community" has shot each other we could have lions eat christians......



 
Posted Wed 14 Mar 07 @ 4:27 am
In the end, it all boils down to the type of crowd you are playing music too. I usually go by majority and cator my playlist to that group. Being a Club DJ in the South in a club that includes a vast demographic of people coming in on random nights, I have to be prepared for anything. Try your best to please the requests, but don't go out of your way to play the song, and if the person gets angry at you...explain your reasons as to not playing or not getting to play the piece. They can either take it or leave it.
 
Posted Wed 14 Mar 07 @ 5:11 am
Some times we forget the history of music. Whether we like it or not, music keeps evolving. My grandmother didn't like my mothers music. My mother did not like my music. I hate my daughters music. This is not my time, so most of the music coming out is not geared to my taste. We get paid to please a large amount of people, not ourselves. My ego is as big as any other DJ, I just don't let it control me. I don't have to please everyone at once. If everyone is on the floor, all the time, no ones drinking, and they will die from exhaustion in a hour. If there are 10 people in the club, and you please 3, with each song you play, you will have a good night. It takes skills to be able to rotate the floor. If you make a great mix, but no one likes the song, you just cleared the floor. I get heat because I only play clean edits.
 
Posted Wed 14 Mar 07 @ 5:47 am
i would argue both points.....it's music ??? no singing no playing

it's evolving ?? i say it's hitting one new low after another

accusing someone of being old fashioned or racist is just a way to pressure them into yielding to the notion there are no boundaries .........

there's a lot of manifestations of that , we just happen to be talking about how it makes itself known in "music"

having common sense and civility is a lousy reason to call someone racist
 
Posted Wed 14 Mar 07 @ 1:25 pm
I totally agree! You are a racist. Why don't you play classical music on a party? YOU HATE OLD PEOPLE

By the way i am completely joking. Don't take it so personal. Those people are probably one of those two (or both):
1. Drunk
2. Dumb

Everyone thinks they know better then the DJ, but they do not. Let them scream. (I always let them, i even enjoy it when people start screaming at me :P)
 
Posted Wed 14 Mar 07 @ 3:27 pm
don't mind and don't take it this to personal...

always there will be someone who wants to teach you or who says "knows" more.

but who's the one who decide to be DJ and to be mixing, you or he?
 
Posted Wed 14 Mar 07 @ 3:32 pm
listen2PRO InfinityMember since 2005
To keep things simple, i think you did a great job sticking to your guns. Looking at that playlist I'm not sure how anyone can come up with you being a "racist" but it was probably just one A-hole(there's one in every crowd) that didnt hear their one wack song requested song, and decided to pull the race card on you. In my experiences the one that plays the race card is usually the one with the "issues" not you.

Don't sweat it...

unless you were wearing a klan outfit to the gig, then they might have a point j/k
 
Posted Wed 14 Mar 07 @ 3:46 pm
"She started yelling at me and I told her to F-off"

Whether or not your play requests, you are still there for the customers, not to please your own ego. I can, however, understand your frustration. I've been there in that similar situation numerous times, but you can NEVER tell a paying customer to "F-off". How can you run a nightclub if the staff tells people to "F-off"? Sometimes you have to be a real "bitch" in the DJ booth (sorry for bad language), but it all comes down to serve ones customers. Suck it up and forget about it OR call for security or the manager. Lastly I would like to remind you of the 99 other occations that are positive, good and satisfying about working as DJ - focus on those.

Good luck and happy DJing!
 
Posted Wed 14 Mar 07 @ 4:22 pm
Lol, i had a situation like that a few months ago. I made it plain and simple. That guy has come on stage for 5-6 times to tell me i had a bad mix there and i should better have played that song, so i got sick of it.

Very easy solution is grabbing your mic and telling the crowd that "we have an unexpected guest DJ that will mix 3 tracks flawless in 5 minutes!". And you say: "begin!".

I have never seen that guy again :P
 
Posted Wed 14 Mar 07 @ 8:10 pm
bagpussPRO InfinityMember since 2003
I love requests, they make my life so much easier..knowing what people want, having no requests is like being a chef with no orders "just cook something good", hmm yea but what's good to me might not be good for them.

I personally read individual requests, I never take a verbal request (can't understand people, drunk + very noisy), get them to write it down, add it to the pile and "thanks I'll do my best to get it on". I'll play any sensible request, if it's wack or I haven't got it then obviously no. But the magic of requests is that they collectively do your job for you, read 50 or so requests and before you know it you've constructed a playlist/night in your head, consisting of some of the songs requested and others that will fit in with the taste of the customer.

Ultimately though, please the management first, customers second, other staff third and yourself last, if you can do that then you'll go far. Never argue with a manager unless you have a history with them that permits it, argueing with a manager will get you replaced before you can count your next four beats.
 
Posted Wed 14 Mar 07 @ 8:43 pm
You can't control what comes out of their mouths. You can only control how you react.
 
Posted Wed 14 Mar 07 @ 8:46 pm
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